A plant-based supplement, costing about £20 per month, could potentially curb alcohol cravings in binge drinkers, a recent study indicates. Researchers found that individuals with alcoholism who took an extract of the East Asian kudzu plant consumed alcohol about a third less frequently than those who received a placebo.
The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, involved 120 adults diagnosed with alcohol use disorder who engaged in binge drinking at least once weekly. Participants took a 2,000mg dose of kudzu extract whenever they experienced strong urges to drink heavily. Over a three-month trial, individuals in the kudzu group had significantly fewer heavy-drinking days compared to the placebo group.
Kudzu, a plant native to East Asia, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. Scientists believe compounds within the kudzu extract, such as isoflavones like puerarin, daidzin, and daidzein, may interfere with brain signals that heighten the desire to consume alcohol. Some users of kudzu supplements have reported a reduced urge to drink and a dampened sense of euphoria when consuming alcohol.
The study's lead author, Glenn Milo Santos, a professor at the University of California San Francisco, noted the potential of this approach. "Our goal is to expand that toolkit," Santos said. "What's exciting about this approach is that people can use it when they know they may be at risk of heavy drinking, rather than taking a medication every day."
While the study found the supplement to be well-tolerated with no significant increase in side effects compared to the placebo, experts advise caution with herbal supplements. Some research has suggested potential liver toxicity at high doses in mice, and kudzu may interact with certain medications or trigger allergic reactions. Health professionals recommend consulting a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen. Larger-scale studies are needed to further validate these findings.